Regardless of the cause, a lack of saliva diminishes your body's natural ability to protect itself against cavities. Saliva provides natural cleaning of the teeth and has alkaline or buffering agents to neutralise the acids from foods or those produced by acidic bacteria. It has immune properties and starts the digestive process. The absence of saliva often leaves your mouth uncomfortable and your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

Use xylitol gum or alkaline saliva substitutes to stimulate your natural saliva production and to limit the acid production of bacteria. Use a 0.5% sodium fluoride rinse with xylitol and neutralising pH to help prevent a caries infection and remineralize teeth.